On August 3, 2025, the “Mega International Literary and Cultural Festival 2024-2025” was held at the Ramakrishna Mancha, an international platform located at Swami Vivekananda’s ancestral house in Kolkata. The event was organized by the National Prakashan Trust to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The event was inaugurated with the blowing of conch shells and sacred chanting by Swami Mahaprajnanandaji Maharaj, President of Belur Math and Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandir. The chief guest was Shyamal Kumar Sen, former Governor of West Bengal and retired Chief Justice of the Calcutta and Allahabad High Courts. Other notable attendees included:
– Padma Shri Dr. Surya Hazarika, renowned writer and former President of the Assam Sahitya Sabha
– Professor Md. Alikhan Chowdhury Manik, Principal of Bangabandhu Mahavidyalaya from Bangladesh
– Md. Manna Rayhan, freedom fighter and journalist from Bangladesh
– Shri Manoj Vyas, singer and translator from Rajasthan
– Dr. Mrinal Kanti Pandit, eminent poet and writer from Tripura
The event then proceeded to the “Nazrul Memorial International Award” presentation and felicitation ceremony, one of the most special segments of the program. Firstly, Shri Nagathihalli Ramesh, a renowned poet, lyricist, short filmmaker, agriculturalist, environmentalist, and social reformer from Karnataka, was honored with a prize of one lakh rupees, along with a citation, crest, shawl, and medal. The award was presented by Shyamal Kumar Sen, former Governor of West Bengal and retired Chief Justice, and Swami Mahaprajnanandaji Maharaj. Following this, all the invited guests were felicitated with honorary citations and shawls by the trust. Notably, poet and writer Mrinal Kanti Pandit from Tripura received the international honor, marking a glorious chapter for the state. The ceremony then transitioned into a vibrant cultural program, where all participating artists were honored with due respect.
Each guest delivered a captivating speech. The event began with a collective opening song by Dr. Deepa Das, a Nazrul researcher and singer. The ceremony then proceeded to the “Nazrul Memorial International Award” presentation and felicitation program.
This recognition marks a glorious chapter in Dr. Mrinal Kanti Pandit’s career, highlighting his stature as a shining personality and a source of pride for Tripura.
The entire event was managed by Shri Shaktimoy Das, founder-editor of the National Sahitya Prakashan Trust.
